Poroshenko was forced to head for implementation of “Minsk” and elections in Donbas, – Oleksandr Klymenko

Appointment of the new public figures in politics of Western world will make Ukrainian power to change its position in terms of Donbas problems and strictly follow the Minsk agreements in the near future. It was stated by Oleksandr Klymenko – founder of the “Restoring Donbas” community initiative and the leader of the “Uspishna Kraina” party – in his article “Minsk turn of Poroshenko: Is Donbas peace around the corner?”.

According to the politician, until November, such way of avoidance of compliance with the agreements has been rather viable. However, the United States presidential election became a turning point. Moreover, the mood in European institutions has also been massively changed.

Recently, Pedro Agramunt – the PACE President – has been elected for second term. His position concerning the conflict is known. He opposes the line of the current Ukrainian government, pedals the continuation of the dialogue and withdrawal of political sanctions from Russian delegation to PACE. In addition, Antonio Tajani became the President of the European Parliament. He is the representative of Italy –trading partner of the Russian Federation and ally of Silvio Berlusconi, populariser of the position on withdrawal of sanctions against Russia.

Finally, new German Foreign Minister was appointed. Instead of formally pro-Kyiv Frank-Walter Steinmeier, it was appointed Sigmar Gabriel – a member of the Social Democratic Party and opponent of Angela Merkel. At the same time, all the candidates for the presidency of France focused on economic interests of their country, not Ukrainian problems.

The founder of the “Restoring Donbas” community initiative believes that an indicative moment – is two PACE resolutions, which were adopted during several months. In October, the PACE urged Ukrainian party to provide Donbas residents with social payments and not to digress from the European Convention on Human Rights (namely, to stop discriminating against Ukrainian citizens). At the end of January 2017, the resolution was significantly rougher. It clearly states about necessity of implementation of the Minsk agreements. In particular, it comes about regulation provisions of special status for Donbas in Constitution, holding additional elections to the Rada on uncontrolled territories. Thus, we are talking about political reintegration of Donbas.

“All these facts lead to change in external conjuncture for the current power in Kyiv”, – Klymenko stated.

The politician quoted several Ukrainian officials in terms of Donbas in order to prove his words. In particular, Vadim Chernysh – Minister of Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDPs – suddenly stated that Ukrainians, who live in Donetsk and Luhansk have the right to get pensions. Meanwhile, Tuka himself, who had previously claimed that elections in Donbas were impossible due to the “occupation”, suddenly stated that Kyiv has been carried out the substitution of notions during the last two years. In addition, he stated that there is no occupation in the region at all.

“Poroshenko kept a cool head, counted all possible paths and decided to fulfil the Minsk and hold elections in Donbas. In fact, he has no other options to keep his chair. If you do not follow the Minsk agreements, Poroshenko will not be needed either in Washington or Berlin, or Paris… Therefore, his administration started to prepare radical part of society for “special status” of Donbas and the law on elections”, – Oleksandr Klymenko is confident”.